Executive Director of the HEART Trust/NTA, Dr. Wayne Wesley, says the agency is committed to integrating sustainable development principles in its training programmes and policies.

“We are committed to equipping learners and workers with the technique, knowledge, skill and attitude to ensure sustainable development through conservation, recycling initiatives and renewable energy,” Dr. Wesley said.

He was speaking at the HEART Trust/NTA’s Greening in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) forum, held at the University of the West Indies, today (April 19).

The Executive Director said the  HEART Trust has the opportunity to equip persons with competencies to become productive and responsible citizens, contributing to sustainable societies.

Dr. Wesley explained that this can only be accomplished if Jamaicans embrace sustainable practices and care for the environment.

“We have to teach our trainees about the environmental impact of their occupation, what they can do to contribute to a clean environment…energy and resource efficiency, waste elimination, reuse and recycle,” he added.

The Executive Director further noted that the institution has the opportunity to change the mindset of its trainees, teaching them to become ambassadors of the greening process, by transforming their green skills into businesses.

For her part, Advisor to the Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Sharon Hay Webster, said the forum is providing the opportunity to share knowledge about sustainable development.

“There needs to be a promotion of green culture for sustainability and we really need the local cooperation between HEART and the Ministry of Education to look at how we move towards the development of this green economy and society,” Ms. Hay Webster said.

Source: Jamaica Information Service